Kiwi adventurer BareKiwi took the Road Less Travelled and discovered the heartland of the Whakatāne district.
Ruatāhuna
“Ruatāhuna is an absolute oasis within Te Urewera. There’s perhaps a perception that there’s nothing along the road to Lake Waikaremoana but no, there’s Ruatāhuna.
I was not prepared for it to be so well equipped and accessible.
The Te Tii Chalets are modern and comfortable, right in the heart of Ruatahuna, and the café was fantastic with delicious Kai.
You’d just sit there and watch the world go by; sheep running down the street, kids on horse-back. One of the local men was sitting there demolishing his big breakfast and washing it down with a loaf of white bread. He was a heavy set guy with tattoos, the sort of person who looked intimidating. But when I commented asking how the kai was, he was just so friendly. That’s the personification of the place.
"Ruatāhuna is an absolute oasis within Te Urewera."
Manawa Honey
Manawa Honey is a really cool story. This place in the middle of the bush off the beaten track that now makes incredible tasting honey.
When I knew I was visiting them, I had this idea in my head that there would be a massive sign and gift shop selling the honey. However, they had me horseback riding and tasting honey next to the river. Then afterwards I put on a bee suits and looked at the beehives!
